Numerous productions on tap this fall

By Mitchell Byars

Staff Writer

Posted:
08/21/2016 09:00:00 AM MDT

Updated:
08/22/2016 10:09:40 AM MDT

In this Aug. 28, 2000 file photo, John and Patsy Ramsey leave their attorney Lin Wood's offices during a break in the Ramsey's questioning by Boulder, Colo., authorities in Atlanta. CBS is getting in the true crime business by investigating the JonBenet Ramsey murder in an upcoming six-part docuseries, the network announced earlier this month, (Gregory E. Smith / AP)

In the winter of 1996, the death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey thrust Boulder into the international spotlight. Now, with the 20th anniversary of JonBenet's unsolved murder approaching, it appears the eyes of the world are once again turning toward Boulder.

The milestone in one of the most notorious unsolved murders in American history has prompted many national media outlets to create special programming centered around Ramsey, ranging from one program attempting to solve the mystery of who killed the Boulder pageant queen to movies based on the crime.

Boulder police spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said the department has seen an increase in interview requests as a result of the approaching anniversary, but no active members of the force have talked about the case.

JonBenet Ramsey

"As has been our position for a number of years now, the police department is not discussing or releasing any information about evidence," Huntley said. "This remains an open investigation."

JonBenet Ramsey was found dead Dec. 26, 1996, in the basement of her family's Boulder home, 755 15th St. — which is now 749 15th St. — about seven hours after Patsy Ramsey called 911 to say her daughter was missing and that a ransom note had been left behind.

On Oct. 13, 1999, more than a year after the case went to the grand jury, then-Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter announced that the grand jury investigation had come to an end and that no charges would be filed due to a lack of evidence.

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But the grand jury had secretly voted to indict John and Patsy Ramsey on charges of child abuse resulting in death and accessory to the crime of first-degree murder, which only came to light in 2013. Hunter refused to sign the indictments and prosecute the Ramseys.

Patsy Ramsey died in 2006.

Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said he has fielded some calls from outlets hoping to talk to him about the story. But since being elected in 2008 — more than a decade after JonBenet's murder — Garnett has not talked publicly about evidence in the case, and said he adopted that same approach for the 20th anniversary.

"I have told all the national media doing things that I will talk to them, but only to talk about the lessons learned from the Ransey case," Garnett said. "Most of the people doing the specials didn't seem very interested in that."

What follows is a list of some of the TV movies and specials set to air this year as the anniversary approaches:

'The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey'

The six-hour docuseries from CBS Entertainment assembled a team of investigators and people familiar with the case "to try and solve the case once and for all," according to a preview trailer.

"This little girl's homicide to this date has been unresolved," FBI investigator Jim Fitzgerald says in the preview. "I think we can change that right now."

Among the experts brought in for the special were two people who were part of the original investigation: Dr. Henry Lee, a forensic expert, and James Kolar, a lead investigator for the DA's office who later wrote a book on the murder titled, "Foreign Faction: Who Really Kidnapped JonBenet?"

The team even built a life-size model of the Ramsey's house in order to investigate their theories. The trailer also teases new interviews, including one with a 911 operator and what appears to be an attempt to interview Burke about the case.

"Speaking out publicly for the first time, JonBenet's 29-year-old brother, Burke, reveals what he knows about his sister's mysterious murder in a ripped-from-the-headlines exclusive interview with Dr. Phil," a news release read. "After 20 years, it's finally time for answers."

This three-part series by Investigation Discovery is set to premiere on Sept. 12 about "The face we'll never forget, the truth we've never heard before."

The short trailer doesn't give away much, but does tease exclusive footage of a "lost" interview with Burke in which he says, "Something bad happened."

The series is set to premier on Sept. 12.

'Dateline'

While NBC's "Dateline" has not confirmed the production or an air date, Daily Camera reporter Charlie Brennan was hired to consult on it and was also interviewed by that program for a special surrounding JonBenet's murder.

The Lifetime TV movie about JonBenet's death will provide a look at the day when Ramsey was found, taking a "fresh look at the events and competing theories about the murder," according to Variety.

The movie will star Eion Bailey as Steve Thomas, a Boulder police detective who worked the case and wrote a book titled, "JonBenét: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation." The movie will also star Michel Gill as John Ramsey, Julia Campbell as Patsy Ramsey, and newcomer Payton Lepinski as JonBenet.

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